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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

T. M. EDWARDS. REGULATOR FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS.

N0. 447,177. 4 Patented Feb. 24,1891.

1 1 You, a. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

THOMAS M. EDWUXRDS, OF NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THOMAS \Y.\VILLIAMS, OF SAME PLACE.

REGULATOR FOR ELECTRIC ClRCUlTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 447,177, dated February24, 1891.

Application filed November 5, 1890. Serial No. 870,866. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

lSe it known that I, THOMAS M. EDWARDS, a citizen of the United States,residing atNew London, in the county of New London and State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inRegulators for Electric Circuits, of which the following is afull,clear, and exact specification.

The invention relates to a regulator eniploying a liquid-resistancemedium and two relatively-adjustablecontact-pointsimmersed in theliquid, and has for its object to provide means for controlling therespective circuits of the several sets of electric lights in a theateror similar audience-room, it being desired to afford means forregulating to a nicety the intensity of the light in the central set andthe setsof side and foot lights, as may be necessary in producingdifferent effects upon the stage.

The regulator more particularly consists in a suitable receptacle havingbottom contactplates connected to one line and one or more pivotedlevers having upper controlling-arms provided with suitable lockingdevices, and lower insulated contact-arms having moving contact withcurved tension-spring conductors connected to the respective localcircuits to be controlled. A suitable quantity of liquid, which may bewater or acidulated water, is supplied to the receptacle, and theresistance to the circuit may be varied so far as the regulator isconcerned from zero, as when the contact-arm is on the contact-plate, toany number of ohms, as when the arm is moved at a distance from thecontact-plate, or the circuit may be broken by removing thecontacting-arm from the liquid. Just above the re ceptacle are insertedin the circuits indicaton lamps, so arranged as to show just the internsity of the light emitted by the lamps in the circuit controlled. Thelighting-circuits are preferably arranged to supply derived or secondarycircuits, and for this purpose suitable converters and secondarycircuits are arranged in each primary circuit.

In order that my invention may be more fully understood, I will proceedto describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich Figure I is a side elevation of my improved regulator, the end ofthe receptacle being removed. Fig. II is a front view showing thearrangement of the series of regulators, and Fig. III is a diagrammaticview illustrating the application of my invention.

1 represents a suitable receptacle, which may have the vertical front 2,the horizontal top 3, the curved bottom 1, having metallic lining 1L,and a supporting-back, and is provided with the bottom contact-plates 5and pivoted contact-levers 6. An indicator-lamp 7 and bindingposts S and8 are provided,

The binding-posts S are mounted on the top of the receptacle and areconnected with the circuits to be controlled. The said bindingposts arealso electrically connected to the movable contact-lever 6 through thepin 9 and the curved tension-spring 10, to which it is attached by screw11, passing through an insulation-sleeve12 in the receptacle. Thetension-spring is provided with an additional face-spring 13, and thefriction between the spring 13 and the pin I) is sutlicient to hold thelever where it is placed.

11 represents a binding-post having connection 1t with the metalliclining and through it with the bottom contact-plates 5. Thisbinding-post 1 1 is adapted to be connected with one line-wire. Themovable contactlever consists of the hub or collar 15, lower contact-arm(1, attached to the hub by means of insulatin g-sleeves and washer 17 and screws 18, and the upper arm 20, having threaded socket 21 forreception of the locking-bolt The lovers are mounted on an axle 2 3, andthe locking-bolts 22, being screw-threaded, as shown, and provided withhandles it, screw down into the sockets till their ends impinge on theaxle, when the levers will be kept from moving on the axle. The contactend of the lever has a nose 19, adapted to ride upon the contact-plate 5and insure an intimate contact between said contact-plate and a curvedterminal 5".

In Fig. II are shown a number of lovers, one being connected with eachof the hinding-posts S. The contact plates 5 and terminals 5* are allconnected to the line through metallic lining 4t", wire 14:, andbinding-post It. It is obvious that the terminals andcontact-plates-could be made integral or in a single long plate. Theaxle 23 can be rotated in its bearings, and by locking any number oflevers upon it they may be operated simultaneously and withoutinterfering with the others, the friction between the pins 9 and springs10 being suflicient to hold them.

The bottom 4 of the receptacle or tank 1, with its metallic lining 4,describes an arc of a circle \vhose center is located a short distanceto the rear of the axle. The object of this is to have nose 19 ofmovable contactlever 6 gradually draw away from the metallic bottom 4,which acts as a partial conductor of the current, so that the lights arelowered gradually.

In Fig. III is shown a lighting system to which my invention isapplicable. 1 repre sents the regulators. '26 represents threeprimarycircuits for the chandelier 2'7. 28 represents a primary circuitfor the side lights 29. 30 represents a primary circuit for thefoot-lights 31. 32represents the primary circuits for the severalborders 33. The sets of lamps are in secondary circuits 34, running fromconverters 35 in the respective primary circuits 26, 28, 30, and 32. Allthe primary circuits connect with a single return-conductor 36. Thechandelier, as shown, may have a number of sets'of lamps and circuits,and the primary circuits may be under the control of a single lever. Thedifferent sets of lights are only provided with independent regulatorswhere it is desirable to modify their light independently of the othersets.

It is obvious that without departing from the spirit of my invention thelevers could all be connected to a single line-wire and the contactplates or blocks in the bottom of the receptacle connected to therespective ci-r-' cuits to be controlled.

The arrangement :above described with the regulator constructed as setforth will admit of a perfect control of the lights and adj ustment oftheir intensity to a nicety, whereby any desired effect may be producedon the stage.

Having thus fully described my invention and the manner of using thesame, what'I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

1. In an electricregulator, substantially as described, the combinationof the liquid-resistance receptacle, the pivoted lever having thelocking-screw handle and the contact end,-and the contact-plate immersedin the liquid, said lever being adapted to be moved upon or away fromthe contact-plate in the liquid or out of the liquid, :all substantiallyas and :for the purpose set forth.

2. In a regulator for electric currents, the combination, with theliquid-resistance receptacle, of the horizontal shaft, the leverspivoted on said shaft and having the lockin g-hand-les and'thecontact-ends, thecontactplates, and circuits including the respectivelevers and corresponding coi'rtact-plates, as set forth.

3. Ina regulator for electric currents, the combination of theliquid-resistance receptacle the pivotedlever provided with the upperlocking device and the lower contact end, the tension-spring adapted tocontact with the lever and connected with the circuit to be controlled,and the contact-plates immersed in the liquid and connected with theline, all substantially as set forth.

4. In a regulator for electric currents, the combination of theliquid-resistance receptacle having a suitable back for supporting theconnections, the axis, controlling-levers mounted on the axis andprovided with upper locking-screws and the lower insulated contact ends,the contact plate or plates in the bottom of the receptacle adapted toconnect with the line, the binding-posts and indicator-lamps on theback, and electrical connections between the contact ends of therespective controlling-levers and the corre sponding lamps and bindingpostsall substantially as set forth.

5. The combination of the liquid-receptacle having the curved bottomprovided with the metallic lining and the contact-plates, the lever,andthe axis of said lever, the bottom being formed in an arcslightlyeccentric to the arc in which the end lever moves, whereby thesaid lever Withdraws gradually from the bottom, as explained.

0. In a regulator for electric circuits, the

combination of the liquid receptacle, a moving contact-lever journaledin the receptacle and having the transverse pin or projection, thecurved contacting and tension spring fixed to the receptacle and havingthe bifurcated end bearing on the transverse pins on opposite sides ofthe movable lever, and the contact in the liquid-receptacle, allsubstantially as set forth.

7. In a'regulator for electric circuits, the combination of theresistance-medium movable lever having the transverse pin or proj ectionand the curved contactvspring provided with the additional curvedface-spring by which it is adapted to contact with the transverse pin ofthe movable lever, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. In aregulator for electric circuits, the

combination of the liqu-id-receptacle or other resistance medium, thehorizontal shaft capable of being rotated in its bearings, a series ofcontrolling-levers mounted upon said shaft and each provided with asuitable device for locking it upon the shaft, and thecontactingtension-spring bearing against thelevers, whereby said levers and thecircuits controlled by them may be manipulated independently or ingroups, substantially in the manner hereinbefore specified.

9. In an electric/lighting system, the 'combination of the severalseries of lights, the secondary circuits including said lights, theconverters supplying said secondary circuits,

IO springs mounted on the receptacle and bean ing' constantly againstthe lovers, connection between the curved springs and the other ends ofthe respective primary circuit, and the lockingscrew handles carried bythe respective levers, all substantially as and for 15 the purpose setforth.

JIIOMAS M. EDWARDS. l/Vitnessesz H. L. CRAXDALL, THOMAS F. MORGAN.

